Thursday, May 12, 2011

Clifton Powell Comes for Spike Lee

Actor Clifton Powell was asked on the Russ Parr Morning Show what he thought about the feud between Spike Lee and Tyler Perry and let's just say Clifton was decidedly #TeamPerry...

Clifton tells Russ

"To be honest, I don’t like Spike Lee. Spike is worse than any one of the mans. Because back in the day…and I hope Spike is listening cause I’ll beat your punk ass. I don’t like Spike. I have never said it publicly out, but Spike is a hater. He was doing all these movies, Sam and all these guys know he’s a hater. He kept all the money, there was lawsuits against him. I shouldn’t have said it like this, but I’m going to tell you the truth. I’m from the streets and you got to take care of your people…Spike needs to go sit his punk ass down and stop talking about Tyler Perry. Tyler Perry was homeless about 10, 12 years ago and Spike wasn’t writing him no checks. I don’t like Spike Lee because I don’t like his politics as it pertains to how he deals with African-Americans. I auditioned for Spike several times, he kept all of us waiting for hours. It was insulting, he made people fly across country, pay for themselves and come to auditions. Spike is the worst and he needs to go sit his punk ass down!”

He has never hired me, I don’t really care, because I would never want to work with him. Tyler has found his genre. The problem with being African-American in film as a producer, you have to be so worried about stepping on toes. We have just a few outlets in terms of the dimensions we are as a people. We zero in because there are not enough dimensions of what we do.”

100 comments:

If he would have said "punk ass" one more damn time...Anyway, to each his own. I personally think that the caliber and variety of Spike's movies are better than Tyler's---simply because that "Madea" character is so repetitive and predictable.

Ummm...last time I checked, if you wanted a job and had to make your way to an interview for said job, the person in charge ain't gon' pay your way there. Why he mad that Spike didn't fly him out there for an audition? Maybe 'cause he didn't want yo azz in the first place. Think about that homie.

I don't understand the hate that is directed to Tyler Perry. I mignt not like all of his films but I respect the hell out of him. He has achieved what few black/white people have done in films. He owns all of everything he makes. He created a production studio in Atlanta. Instead of praising him like others do Oprah he is ripped to shreds. It is quite sad.

Im on the fence with this. I do agree that the Madea thing is disturbing, and foolishness....but I think the BROWN's are worse than that. Tylers non-Madea movies are somewhat decent. Im not a fan of Madea, so when its on, I just switch the channel. its that easy. That being said, Spike just needs to leave Tyler alone and respect his hustle. Let him make whatever he wants to make. Its not like they are even in the same category. Clifton seems a lil salty tho

Regardless of what Powell's true motivations were, he called a spade a spade. Spike has been hating on overdrive for quite some time now. It's one thing to be secretly jealous, but to go at Tyler so publicly, throwing these white media outlets a bone with some meat on it is deplorable. He knows damn well that Tyler is beloved and respected by most black folk and he just can't handle that.Go sit your salty ass down Spike and step your game up.

Yea there have been issues with spike and $ in the past. When he made do the right thing he had to reach out to big $ black celebs like mj, prince, and oprah and at the end when he made a profit he didn't pay anyone back.

If he would have said "punk ass" one more damn time...Anyway, to each his own. I personally think that the caliber and variety of Spike's movies are better than Tyler's---simply because that "Madea" character is so repetitive and predictable.

----------------------------------------------you might be right but listen to what Clifton is saying. You don't keep people waiting, and usually, you fly the people in that you want to audition unless they already live there, it sounds like Spike kept all of the money to himself, just like Clifton is saying. Every person I know who ever came in contact with Spike, was left with a bad taste in their mouth from his arrogance and overall disregard for their feelings. He's a real POS!

He has a point but Clifton isn't a great actor not on spikes level. Don't get me wrong I loved Clifton in the Friday movies ( I'm pinky neygah!) but Clifton is a horrible serious actor.

2:22 PM -----------------------------------------------GTFOH! Clifton has been in SEVERAL movies where he acted his a-s-s off!I suspect that clifton didn't giv up that a-s-s to the right people, and that's why he hasn't gotten the better roles that he deserves. Clifton Powell makes Will Smith look like Camron in that bullcrap movie he was in. What I will applaud spike for is introducing us to a few stellar actors like Wesley Snipes & Michael Wright, but in all honesty, I still feel that Halle Berry is a crappy actress.

i respect clifton. i can see everything he said about spike being true. however spike is hands down one of the best directors in the game... "slow down when you hittn them corners muthafucka you almost made me spill my yak"

I would have respected his point if he didn't sound like such a coon! I mean this dude is dimension-less, we get your are from the streets, but you have played in several movies & more than likely traveled the world; yet you get on the radio & talk like you NEVER left the hood. Boooo! Hell I'm not a T.P. fan but he shouldn't even want this ninja speaking on his behalf.#dobetterpeople

I liked Crooklyn - thats it - his movies are stupid - supposed to be uplifting but steeped in sterotypes... I hate that black folk have to be at each others throats - why oh why do we have that crab in a barrel mentality and I ain't referring to Clifton - I meant Spike... he sees Tyler Perry as competition and rather than give props where due he gonna say the man is a sell out - who is a bigger sell out than teeh little weasel sitting court side dressed in head to toe orange and blue... fuck a Spike I want to sue the cable network for using the name Spike TV - bug eyed midget... I think Jermaine Dupree is his love child.

I would have respected his point if he didn't sound like such a coon! I mean this dude is dimension-less, we get your are from the streets, but you have played in several movies & more than likely traveled the world; yet you get on the radio & talk like you NEVER left the hood. Boooo! Hell I'm not a T.P. fan but he shouldn't even want this ninja speaking on his behalf.#dobetterpeople ******************************************You're exactly right. He should've been more classy. It's really disturbing when a man of distinction starts cursing like a sailor. Actually what he said, can more than likely be taken as a terroristic threat by the police. It's never good to say aomething like this on the radio. the female interviewer sounds somewhat disappointed that he keeps saying that he'll beat his a-s-s.

For the record, Spike ain't ask for no money for do the right thing!! He asked for money to FINISH MALCOLM X, and Bill Cosby, Oprah, MJ and everyone else who gave AIN'T want the money back---------------------------------------------- Answer this question: Does he have his own studio, does he employ three hundred black people, what has he EVER done for charity?

I agree that Madea movies need to go, but the bottom line is: Spike Lee is an ignorant jackass who thinks he's entitled to comment on black people who've shown that they can accomplish MORE in ten years than he's accomplished in TWENTY. Denzel is NOT the best black actor in my book, Keith David is, and he's classy and he speaks SEVERAL LANGAUGES! I would prefer to see Clifton Powell on the big screen more often because I'm RIVETED whenever he does a serious role, with Denzel, not so much, in fact, the only roles that Denzel had that were interesting to me are Man on Fire and Malcolm X, other than that, he bores me. What some people fail to realize is that everyone has their time to shine. Spike had the 80-mid 90s. Now it's time for someone else to shine, but Spike Lee STILL wants all of the attention on his ugly, bettle-juice looking a-s-s! his prime came and went and he's pissed because he doen't hae the power that Tyler has, he should've had studios from here to Brazil by now instead of sitting at Knicks games during the season.As my mother always told me, if you want something in life, NOBODY can stop you! Spike can't balme anyone but himself and his nasty attitude for his failure to remain relevant as he could've been...LOL!

This negro is the male equivalent of Vivica A. Fox -- always in some hood movie, BET blockbuster or stage play with a few mainstream roles here and there.

2:54 PM ------------------------------------------------The fact remains: He's still a very relevant black actor. Let's look at the real issue here: Most balck actors WAIT for someone to hire them instead of taking the bull by the horns like Tyler and did and producing their own projects. Oh, and say what you want about vivica Fox, but she'll never be broke. Vivica Fox has her own production company and has made some very good investments throughout her career. In addition, she would never snake other black people like Spike Lee has done. This man alienates people because of his ego.

I say to black people, don't wait for someone else to greenlight your project. greenlight your own projects, do webisodes. Get a small crew and grab a camera, and do what you do. i've done it, and it isn't hard. You don't have to have actors from the Guild to do a movie. Be proactive.

Don't let the Pinky role fool you.. Clifton Powell is as solid as actors come. Cats like him don't get lead or major roles in big screen movies though. Obviously, some of his frustration with that came out in an overly-honest way during this interview.

Oh, and say what you want about vivica Fox, but she'll never be broke.

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The same Vivica Fox who got caught writing bad checks a few years back [http://www.rhymeswithsnitch.com/2007/08/whats-worse-than-accused-attempted.html] and is about to be robbed blind in a few months [http://www.rhymeswithsnitch.com/2011/01/no-pre-nup-for-vivica-and-slimm.html] after she walks down the aisle? Oh, OK.

I agree with several comments. Clifton is very under rated. I think in some cases he can be one of the best. Denzel is not a greatest actor. He does great MOVIES. I feel that great actors cant be parodied (is that a word?). That being said, I dont blame Clifton for taking a lot of 'C' movies. He has to earn a living....so dont be surprised if u see him in a Silk the Shocker Kung Fu flick. He's as smooth as Samuel Jackson, charismatic as Denzel, and can shows great emotion like Forest Whitaker.....but he sounds mad salty in this interview.

@ 3:08 and to the rest of TP stans. If you were selling your community short and making the community look bad -When you are doing so MUCH DAMAGE TO THE BLACK IMAGE. (and what i don't get w/ you black women is.. you are the main ones defending TP, but its obvious (from the lack (nonexistent)) of successful BW with out any issues/bad attitude in his movies_ TP doesn't even like women. Who Cares what he's done or accomplished- his portryal of black ppl is subpar & does not garner any respect. From what I heard NEITHER TP NOR SPIKE LEE pay their actors. They are BOTH known for running sweatshops. STOP Making EXcuses for Foolishness.

Oh so to listen to the above poster then Trump and all those other stupid ass reality shows must be uplilifting black women - sit your DL ass down somewhere - you sound like YOU hate women you ball sucking twat

I auditioned for Spike several times, he kept all of us waiting for hours. It was insulting, he made people fly across country, pay for themselves and come to auditions.***Seeing as how he's never done anything with TP either, he has no frame of reference as to how he would have been treated by Perry in the same situation.

Until he can prove to me that Spike is THE ONLY director who has EVER treated him that way, HE needs to go sit down somewhere.

I would if you showed me the equivalent in the cash. Tyler said nothing about Spike or his movies so your little run down about those movies don't mean shit, WHERE THE CASH AT? Why worry about what Tyler is doing. imjustaskingjazz

The caliber and variety of Spike's work will ALWAYS outshine Tyler's. Spike's cinematic approah speaks volumes, in the way in he fuses Black culture with sophistication, empowerment and diversity. Why does Tyler feel the need to repetitively potray Madea and her obnoxious personality in almost every film? Tyler could build 100 studios and employ every black actor in Hollywood, yet he still would come up short. It's about quality not quantity. People want to say Spike is a "hater" when clearly he is stating his opinion, whereas Tyler basically has the Blacks in his films bojanglin', but it's cool because he has his own studio and is making money?

Lol @ Jazz. You feel me though? These negros in this generation arent standing for shit, which is why theyre falling for anything. The Malcolm X film alone crushes Tyler's complete catalogue. I bet you won't see Denzel skinnin' and grinnin' in a TP film.

to the fools who accuse Tyler Perry of beingan Uncle Tom ,do u even know who Uncle Tomwas...yeah,he's real...his real name is JoshiahHenson and he wked so hard to buy his freedom from the white people ....Harriet Beecher Stowe saw him and put him in literature....yeah,he tomed but he set the groundwk for the underground railroad ,way before Harriet Tubman...after the white turned down his cash he fled to Canada with his family....you all really should check your history before u call someone an Uncle Tom..Spike should know better.

Spike, in spite of his personality, single-handedly desegregated the movie industry. For those of you who don't know, the Teamsters had no black members working on the movie sets. Spike Lee said he would not make Malcolm X with union Teamster workers. His very life was threatened. That is serious, just ask Jimmy Hoffa, Oh, wait, we cant. He worked with community organizers in Harlem where part of the film was made to ready the Harlem community for protests and to stand up to the threats to bust up the set and Harlem. The government had to get involved and the Teamsters had to desegregate, now there are even minority set and backstage guys on Broadway stages because the Teamsters had to desegregate.Basically, anyone who works on a Tyler Perry set can thank Spike Lee. Spike can be Spike all day for me, even in spite of himself. Spike is a civil rights hero.

Spike has made some great films, no one can deny that, however calling TP an Uncle Tom and his films coonery and buffoonery is a bit much. All things considered Tyler's films may not be as strong plot wise but they do share a good message. I can respect a man that promotes positivity in the black community. ...Even if you have to show the negative sides no one likes to talk about. Spike just came off as being bitter and jealous with his comments.

They BOTH make good films just with different techniques. Different strokes for different folks stop hatin on Tyler and let that man shine. Shoot at least he gives back to the community. TP should throw up his middle and keep countin them duckets

"I would if you showed me the equivalent in the cash. Tyler said nothing about Spike or his movies so your little run down about those movies don't mean shit, WHERE THE CASH AT? Why worry about what Tyler is doing. imjustaskingjazz "

ART was never about the dollars until the greedy man showed up. People who appreciate creativity in it's most pure form saw right through your rant quick-fast, lol.

I remember when Clifton Powell first coming out on that televison seris ROC. He was the neighborhood Thug. Then later turn nice. I also met him once in calfornia right after the season of ROC was cancled. He was very nice. sitting at the bar nursing his drink. He wasnt all stuck up or arrogant. Personally I dont see the issue of NO one black producer trashing another black producer because its about us (BLACKS) giving our people a job. Because Warners sure isnt. Dam Spike you're acting lower than these RAPPERS / MUSICIANS are. I mean what are you trying to start? A EAST COAST vs WEST COAST war? There should be enough producing for whom ever want too do it. You do your type of movies and Tylor do his. And WE the people will go see and enjoy whom ever if not both. SPIKE youre doing nothing but helppin the negative media with this mess you're doing. Havent your mama taught you to keep your mouth shut if it has nothing to do with you?

I do not care for Tyler Perry movies. I am so sick of black women being portrayed as drug abusers, who get beat up by their husbands, who daddy doesn't love them, who have to turn tricks on the street....I could go on. Yes, these things exist in our society...but is that what I want to see EVERY movie? No.

Anyone who can even compare Tyler Perry's work with Spike Lee's is a fool.

i like both spike and tyler.. but spike does educational things.. things to educate our people.. tyler's movies are more of a comedy.. actually you are watching the same movie over and over with tyler.. that madea is getting played out.. all the pronouncing words wrong is ignorant. stop that tyler.. I say tyler needs to do some real things.. not saying real things are not included in his movies but he needs to lay off the comedy for a minute and get real..

listen up people my ex was and is still trying to get his foot in the door.. here is a secret about the industry it is hard for black people to get financial backing for movies that will help black people and not make them look stupid, ignorant, drug addicted, thugged,fat, nasty, and many other things.. spike had a very hard time getting any of his positive movies backed.. spike has never actually had a hit movie.. yeah i bet some of you never knew that.. thats because its not buffoonery and filled with stereotypes.. whenever my ex tried to do something for our community he was shut done.. why because it was positive..

I happen to like both Spike Lee and Tyler Perry. They are both relevent in what they do. Their approach & histories are somewhat different, but there is room at the top of the movie industry for more than one king.

As for Mr. Powell's statement, he sounds rather bitter. He needs to focus less on what Spike did in the past and work on his OWN empire.

Several years ago, Spike was upset about Spielberg producing "The Color Purple", and suggested that Spielberg didn't know anything about Black people, or something like that. Spielberg may or may not have known anything about Black people, but he didn't have to...no more than Spike had to experience being in a war, and of course he couldn't experience being Malcolm X, either, because there is/was only one Malcolm X. That's what advisers and consultants are for.

People create movies and plays about life experiences that they never have or never will experience themselves, all the time, and some do well and some don't. Audiences are fickle.

FUCK TYLER PERRY AND THIS OLD ASS NIGGUH HATIN' ON SPIKE LEE! HE JUST A STRAIGHT TO DVD ASS NIGGUH ANYWAY. OF COURSE YOU GON' WAIT MUTHERFUCKER.....AINT THAT WHAT YOU DO WHEN YOU GET THE ROLE.....SIT AROUND AND WAIT????? COON ASS NICCUH!

CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN TO ME WHY NIGGUZ ALWAYS QUICK TO SAY THEY FROM THE STREETS....LIKE A MIDDLE CLASS NIGGA CAN'T WHOOP YOUR STREET ASS. YOU AINT NO BIGGER MAN THAN NOONE ELSE.....SAYIN' YOU FROM THE STREETS ONLY MEANS TO ME THAT YOU WEAK AND CAN'T CHANGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BITCH!

Clifton Powell is a real working actor. I saw him in probably 10 movies and tv shows before I even knew his name. He can play the hell out of a bad guy. Loved him in "Dead Presidents". I like both Spike and Tyler and have paid for both of them opening weekends. I wish they would squash this. Spike does look like he's hating.

Spike is entitled to his opinions. However, he's adding to the problem by airing his grieviances in public.He's being a typical "coon" by denigrating another African American in public. Why is he doing this? I'll tell you why...publicity!! Nobody is checking for Spike, this is is ignorant ass way of staying relevant. Epic FAIL!

Sidebar: Russ Parr has actually put out a few movies, too, so it's a little interesting that he would find Spike's position on Tyler somewhat entertaining. Anybody ever watch a movie presented by Parr? Powell is in some of them and one is due out this month.

I met Clifton a few years back while filming a tv show. He was DRUNK and hitting on me. I was a big fan of his, but was totally turned off by his unprofessionalism. (why not get drunk AFTER taping the show?)Any way his comments do have merit. Spike Lee thinks way too much of himself, and why couldnt he discuss this with Tyler in private?

After begging people all these years to support him, all he does is turn ROUND and publicly knock SOMEBODY ELSE. He could take some decency lessons from Prince (re Whitney Houston) or just plain keep his turncoat yap shut, which would be an improvement.

So Spike Lee isn't allowed to have an opinion? Spike made one comment a year or 2 ago--and didn't even use Tp's name(the host did). The only people keeping this drama alive is TP(and his acolytes) but the truth is the truth is the truth and Spike Lee spoke the truth. Tell the truth and shame the devil.

@10:00pm & 12:59am Please tell me(provide source/reference) when Spike called TP an Uncle Tom because I can't find that quote(& neither will you). So STOP making shit up.

@lea, stop licking Spike Lees balls, nobody has to make anything up about Spike, if you took your nose out of his ass long enough you'd know the asinine comments he always makes off the cuff.I hate uneducated negros who make comments all willy nilly. *spit*

Spike has always been like that... He criticised Will Smith for making "Ali" with Michael Mann and got into it with Debbie Allen on Nightline over "Amisted"Debbie was a co-producer with Spielberg directing, Spike had an issue with it.

Also,if i'm correct, spike had complaints about the Cosby Show. Said it wasnt an unrealistic portrayl of black americans. so my question for spike is: are we coons or are we educated? Mr. Powell made a point about black entertainment basically having very few dimensions. Tyler's shows deal with some real life issues, especially for black women, and i think i can safely say that his movie's overall message is one of hope and second chances. Madea kinda lightens the movie up because the issues in some of these movies are pretty serious and intense. Sure you got madea saying shit wrong, but he also has portrayls of very educated, successful african-americans. Ppl see what they want to see. Just because you dont care for TP's work surely doesnt mean that you have to say such hateful things. dont understand y ppl can't grab some maturity from somewhere and just agree to disagree. As black folk we got enough working against us, damn shame part of that "enough" is our own. @11:03 - your reference to the chitlin circuit, was that suppose to be an insult? legendary places such as the Appolo theatre and the Cotton Club were a part of the chitlin circuit in which many greats got their start ie- e.fitzgerald, l. horne, b.holiday. Nothin' negative at all. The CC is what gave them their start, and we all know you cant finish UNTIL you start. And the FINISH, included tearing down alot of boundries that future generations didnt have to face.

Spike is Spike. Tyler is Tyler. 2 very successful black men in film. Flawed? Bith of them are. Should it recevie as much attention as it has? NO! I don't see Steven Spielberg attacking Francis Ford Coppola or James Cameron. They put their minds together and come up with something bigger. We can't ever get to the tip of our true potential because we are so busy trying to stop somebody else...

@8:29 LMAO. what do you mean "spit?" you're spitting in the wind dear. which means it lands right on you.

as i said, when did spike call TP an Uncle Tom? please site a source or stfu. i don't care what Spike said about other people, we're talking about his 'feud' with TP. TP is the one that keeps bringing it up. Spike only comment on TP once and didn't even us TP's name.

Filmworks, with any significant or positive meaning or cultural or historical relevance, created or directed by practically ANY Black film creator/director, generally don't do well at box offices overall, and they certainly don't win mega film awards. The masses just don't support them.

Spike made moves that CHANGED the movie industry for the better. He starts crap. That's what innovators do. Tyler Perry is a misandrist (hater of men)- all of his movies have negative slants vs men but I still support his right to make movies.

I think TP's movies are kind of stupid but that's just me..so what. Spike alienates everyone and won't let himself get pumped in the butt, so he goes nowhere in Hollywood.

Now that all the dumb crap has been said, let's focus on the real stuff....who said anyone owes anyone a break. You help your own people get up but you owe them just that...the shot at getting there. This dude may hate Spike's politics but the only hate I heard was coming from him. Spike is a known hater..so let him do what he does. Tyler stuff sucks to me but he does have a right to make his crappy movies...practice makes perfect.